Self-braiders -- how do you get the parts straight and braid the back of your head?

[tryn2growmyhair]

This has been bothering me ever since I decided to start braiding my hair. I want another protective style and I refuse to pay someone hundreds of dollars to jack up my hair. I believe that doing this will be one of the last steps in my achieving independence from stylists and will appreciate any help that you all can give me on this. Thanks.

 

[yokourt]

I am taking my braids down as we speak. I self braided my hair to my butt on the 4th of July. It took two weekends to finish, but I only spent 8 dollars for the hair. Anyways, to see the back of my head I sat on the bathroom sink and had my back to the mirror. I propped up another mirror at a slight angle on the towel-bar in front of me. If I had a mirror on the bathroom door, I would have just opened it at an angle as I look in the mirror on the wall or used the medicine cabinet mirror. Don't forget that rattailed comb for parting. I have to make straight parts, so take your time. It all pays off in the end!

 

[jamiette]

This probably won't help you much but I don't get the parts straight when I braid my hair (especially when doing micros). I have found that most of the styles I wwaer my braids in dont require that the parts be perfect. I used to do the mirror propping but it became TOO time consuming, by the time I got the braids done it was time to take them out.
I really focus on getting the top and side parts straight. Actually the more that I braided my hair, the better I became at making them neater. Just keep practicing and you will get better over time. Its amazing cause even when used to think that I did a crappy job on them I had people asking for the number of my stylist. Just keep practicing girl, Cause like Yokourt said, it definitely does pay off in the end. Not only does it feel good to say that you did it yourself, but it also feels good when you think about all that money you saved.

 

[yokourt]

jamiette, you are so right ! It is like so type of high. When people say "Who did your hair" ? I can't wait to reply in my shy little voice. Once I say that I did it, I just wait for their jaws to drop. The one's who say "how did you get your hair to grow that long or is that all your hair" ? they really kill me .
It is a a big ego bOOster when people know you have skills. The next thing I hear is "can you do mine"? CHING CHING $$

 

[Phoenix]

How do y'all deal with the pain in your arms and shoulders? I tried braiding my own hair but after a few hours my arms and shoulders were ON FIRE from holding them up so long. The next day I woke up and, no lie, I couldn't even move my arms, much less raise them up to keep braiding. Am I just being a baby or is this a common problem?

 

[yokourt]

I stop before it hurts that bad. I never finish it all at one time. I still have to cook, eat, clean, wash clothes, work and sleep. But once you get started, ther is no turning back. Keep you eyes on the prize and you money in your pocket!! My roomate in college about 15 years ago would always braid my hair and everybody else. I learned from her, over time I have taught others too. I only do it when I know I'll have time, like when I have three day weekends.

 

[asummertyme]

I NEVER HAVE A STRAIT PART...i usually do what i call "pick up braids"..thats when i just pick up the hair..and braid it...lol..i dont like for parts to show in my braids at all...i dont even use a mirror...dont need one really..i just feel my way around...yes my back and shoulders get to hurting...but that is when i stop for a while..and rest.

 

[Peachtree]

Yokourt, u have MAD skillz girlfriend!!! My arms ache just looking at ur braid pics, lol. (( and just to think, I complain about doing chunky twists ))

 

[CurliDiva]

I just use a hand mirror for the main top part of my mid-back cornrows I did last weekend. I don't worry about the other parts being perfectly straight, but I just want the same amount of hair for each braid.

I need to allow myself plenty of time and quiet (no tv or movies) to do a decent job. Learning to braid your own hair is empowering and will save you money and time in the long run.

Plus you are avoiding any the braid shop "abuse stories" you hear, such as too tight or heavy braids, products used, etc.

Good Luck!

 

[BLESSED1]

If I'm feeling lazy then I only have clean parts along the hairline, sides and crown (most visible areas) and not focus on having perfect parts in the back, tend to wear my extensions down and loose anyway so unless someone's all up in my head then no 1 can tell it's sloppy back there But if I do want the back neat, I too use 2 mirrors. And a rattail comb does wonders, I can get a even part straight across in 1 sweep most times

Yokurt those braids are hot! I've never braided my hair that long before

 

[tryn2growmyhair]

Wow, thanks for all the tips, ladies. You ladies are really inspiring! I will have to get a two mirror thing going. I am little bit scared about needed three weekend days and having my arms hurt.However, I do want to save money and also protect myself from having a bad braid experience. So many woman have jacked up edged and rough hair after taking out braids and I do believe that it's because some braiders are rough with the hair.

I hope that you wont mind if I ask all of you a few more questions:

1) I dont want to do microbraids that are too small, I just want to do it pencil size and I dont want it too long either. Is it possible that if I just do it pencil size it wont take that long? I am scared that the small ones will tear my fine hair out.

2) How big can I make the microbraids if I use human hair? I have been told that that's the best for my hair.

3) How do you neatly braid the temple area without damaging the follicles and causing thinning? My temples are just beginning to recover from the way they used to be treated and I dont want to losing any more hair in the front.

 

[tryn2growmyhair]

Learning to braid your own hair is empowering and will save you money and time in the long run.

Plus you are avoiding any the braid shop "abuse stories" you hear, such as too tight or heavy braids, products used, etc.

Good Luck!

This is why I want to learn to braid my own hair! Thanks for the good wishes.

 

[asummertyme]

1) I dont want to do microbraids that are too small, I just want to do it pencil size and I dont want it too long either. Is it possible that if I just do it pencil size it wont take that long? I am scared that the small ones will tear my fine hair out.
this is ur 1st time...dont braid then too small..pencil size is fine..but it will prolly still take about 2 days..with rest's inbetween..if u braid fast..1 1/2 days maybe..

2) How big can I make the microbraids if I use human hair? I have been told that that's the best for my hair.
u can make them any size u wish...microbraids are tiny...then there is small..thru pencil size..and so on...

3) How do you neatly braid the temple area without damaging the follicles and causing thinning? My temples are just beginning to recover from the way they used to be treated and I dont want to losing any more hair in the front.
just dont braid ur hair so tight..braid them where they are close to the scalp...but not pulling the hair too tight..u will be able to feel the tightness when u briad it...if its too tight or looses..take it out..and rebraid..
good luck and post pics if u can...

 

[tryn2growmyhair]

1) I dont want to do microbraids that are too small, I just want to do it pencil size and I dont want it too long either. Is it possible that if I just do it pencil size it wont take that long? I am scared that the small ones will tear my fine hair out.
this is ur 1st time...dont braid then too small..pencil size is fine..but it will prolly still take about 2 days..with rest's inbetween..if u braid fast..1 1/2 days maybe..

2) How big can I make the microbraids if I use human hair? I have been told that that's the best for my hair.
u can make them any size u wish...microbraids are tiny...then there is small..thru pencil size..and so on...

3) How do you neatly braid the temple area without damaging the follicles and causing thinning? My temples are just beginning to recover from the way they used to be treated and I dont want to losing any more hair in the front.
just dont braid ur hair so tight..braid them where they are close to the scalp...but not pulling the hair too tight..u will be able to feel the tightness when u briad it...if its too tight or looses..take it out..and rebraid..
good luck and post pics if u can...

Thanks so much for the tips!

 

[jamiette]

jamiette, you are so right ! It is like so type of high. When people say "Who did your hair" ? I can't wait to reply in my shy little voice. Once I say that I did it, I just wait for their jaws to drop. The one's who say "how did you get your hair to grow that long or is that all your hair" ? they really kill me .
It is a a big ego bOOster when people know you have skills. The next thing I hear is "can you do mine"? CHING CHING $$

Make that money girl!!!

 

[ajargon02]

This has been bothering me ever since I decided to start braiding my hair. I want another protective style and I refuse to pay someone hundreds of dollars to jack up my hair. I believe that doing this will be one of the last steps in my achieving independence from stylists and will appreciate any help that you all can give me on this. Thanks.

I have been braiding hair for over 13 yrs. When I first started out for the back, I just got 2 mirrors. Positioned myself, then created the part w/ a comb, and used duck bill clips to hold all the other hair out of the way. I only use the mirror for the very front, round the hairline, so that my parts are consistant. I like to do a diagonal pattern for my braids, b/c (in my 2 cents) they lay a bit better.

 

[DDTexlaxed]

Re: Self-braiders -- how do you get the parts straight and braid the back of your hea

I want to know how you can do this on your natural hair without extensions. Am I asking too much, ya'll?

 

[tryn2growmyhair]

I have been braiding hair for over 13 yrs. When I first started out for the back, I just got 2 mirrors. Positioned myself, then created the part w/ a comb, and used duck bill clips to hold all the other hair out of the way. I only use the mirror for the very front, round the hairline, so that my parts are consistant. I like to do a diagonal pattern for my braids, b/c (in my 2 cents) they lay a bit better.

Thanks a lot for the tips. If you braided your hair in the pic in your message, then you are very good. How long had you had your hair in braids and what was the brand of hair that you used? I am definitely going to use human hair but I am deciding between the straight and silky type and the curlier type like you have in your message. I want something versatile that I wont get tired of before six weeks to 2 months.

Anything that you would recommend that people do and not do to grow their hair? I.e. if you saw good results or had setbacks could you please let us know what you did and did not do?

Also, when you say that you positioned the mirrors, how did you position them? One in front one in back? I have a big mirror (it's about waistlength and I will be braiding sitting down) but I will probably need to buy a second mirror. How big should it be?

Finally, how long did it take you to do the braids that are in the pic in your message (I am assuming that you did those braids yourself).

Thanks in advance.

 

[tryn2growmyhair]

Re: Self-braiders -- how do you get the parts straight and braid the back of your hea

I want to know how you can do this on your natural hair without extensions. Am I asking too much, ya'll?

Do a search for Den or Den1. She has some box braids that she has done herself. I would actually find it easier to do braids with my own hair IF I was natural, because I have type 4 hair. However, I started this thread because I wondered how to self-braid relaxed hair with extensions.

 

[LiqueXX]

Re: Self-braiders -- how do you get the parts straight and braid the back of your hea

Bump...Bump...Bump

 

[MeechUK]

When I started braiding my own hair with extensions I used 2 mirrors, one large and one small. The large one at the back and the smaller one I adjusted to see the back in the larger mirror. I would start at the back up to the front. This helped me to get the partings neat tidy and the braids the same size. The first time I did this it took me about 10hrs over 2 days, until it finally took about 4hrs to do my complete head.

MeechUK

 

[xippy]

I am taking my braids down as we speak. I self braided my hair to my butt on the 4th of July. It took two weekends to finish, but I only spent 8 dollars for the hair. Anyways, to see the back of my head I sat on the bathroom sink and had my back to the mirror. I propped up another mirror at a slight angle on the towel-bar in front of me. If I had a mirror on the bathroom door, I would have just opened it at an angle as I look in the mirror on the wall or used the medicine cabinet mirror. Don't forget that rattailed comb for parting. I have to make straight parts, so take your time. It all pays off in the end!

Yokourt, how did you sleep with your braids? I only wear mine at armpit length and always have neck pain in the morning. I wear a scarf on my head at night, but the bunch hair in the back is very uncomfortable to sleep on.

 

[AJamericanDiva]

jamiette, you are so right ! It is like so type of high. When people say "Who did your hair" ? I can't wait to reply in my shy little voice. Once I say that I did it, I just wait for their jaws to drop. The one's who say "how did you get your hair to grow that long or is that all your hair" ? they really kill me .
It is a a big ego bOOster when people know you have skills. The next thing I hear is "can you do mine"? CHING CHING $$

Yup! Co-signing!!!

 

[AJamericanDiva]

This has been bothering me ever since I decided to start braiding my hair. I want another protective style and I refuse to pay someone hundreds of dollars to jack up my hair. I believe that doing this will be one of the last steps in my achieving independence from stylists and will appreciate any help that you all can give me on this. Thanks.

I don't even worry if the parts are straight, it's kinda like a honeycomb pattern. Moreso, I wanna make sure that strands are being braided where they're supposed to be so I won't have breakage, pulling or pain. I do utilize my 3 way mirror in my bathroom so they overlap properly and I don't have a lot of scalp showing....

 

[AJamericanDiva]

This probably won't help you much but I don't get the parts straight when I braid my hair (especially when doing micros). I have found that most of the styles I wwaer my braids in dont require that the parts be perfect. I used to do the mirror propping but it became TOO time consuming, by the time I got the braids done it was time to take them out.
I really focus on getting the top and side parts straight. Actually the more that I braided my hair, the better I became at making them neater. Just keep practicing and you will get better over time. Its amazing cause even when used to think that I did a crappy job on them I had people asking for the number of my stylist. Just keep practicing girl, Cause like Yokourt said, it definitely does pay off in the end. Not only does it feel good to say that you did it yourself, but it also feels good when you think about all that money you saved.

Not only money, but your own hair... from someone else jacking it up!!! No one will love your hair as much as you!!!

 

[brismom]

I am so glad to hear from you women. I've been self braiding since 1989. I do it for vacations and when I'm transistioning. I'm braided right now because I'm transistioning. My issue is really rather trivial. In my city, I'm in the definite minority. Most women wear relaxed hair and I'm cool with that. But me and my braids stand out. Quite frankly, the perception is that only "poor, low SES" women fool with braids, which I think is crazy. There are those who suggest that this hair style (box braids) is unprofessional. I usually wear my braids pulled back and when I have to look professional, I wear them in a bun. I'm not really look for an affirmation of any sort, just venting.

 

[AJamericanDiva]

I am so glad to hear from you women. I've been self braiding since 1989. I do it for vacations and when I'm transistioning. I'm braided right now because I'm transistioning. My issue is really rather trivial. In my city, I'm in the definite minority. Most women wear relaxed hair and I'm cool with that. But me and my braids stand out. Quite frankly, the perception is that only "poor, low SES" women fool with braids, which I think is crazy. There are those who suggest that this hair style (box braids) is unprofessional. I usually wear my braids pulled back and when I have to look professional, I wear them in a bun. I'm not really look for an affirmation of any sort, just venting.

I know what you mean... I know people on this board who said braids in the work place is not professional and should be saved for vacation. I think if it's pulled back in a bun, then it shouldn't be a problem....

 

[Phoenix]

Thanks for all the advice! I think it's about time that I get it together and learn to do my own braids. I just got my hair braided in a salon Friday and the braiders were acting like they were mad at me for telling them to leave some hair out around my hairline and to not make the braids so small. I'm sick of having to argue with them to get them to do MY hair the way I want it.

 

[brismom]

I am so glad to hear from you women. I've been self braiding since 1989. I do it for vacations and when I'm transistioning. I'm braided right now because I'm transistioning. My issue is really rather trivial. In my city, I'm in the definite minority. Most women wear relaxed hair and I'm cool with that. But me and my braids stand out. Quite frankly, the perception is that only "poor, low SES" women fool with braids, which I think is crazy. There are those who suggest that this hair style (box braids) is unprofessional. I usually wear my braids pulled back and when I have to look professional, I wear them in a bun. I'm not really look for an affirmation of any sort, just venting.

 

[ajargon02]

Thanks a lot for the tips. If you braided your hair in the pic in your message, then you are very good. How long had you had your hair in braids and what was the brand of hair that you used?

AJARGON REPLY:
-I had these in for like 2 months. I only use Kanekalon hair. It's so much cheaper then human hair. It acts just like it. I can straighten it, crimp it, curl it w/ hot and cold rollers! I use human hair when I braid my sister's hair. I just don't use it b/c I don't like to shell out the cash for it

I am definitely going to use human hair but I am deciding between the straight and silky type and the curlier type like you have in your message. I want something versatile that I wont get tired of before six weeks to 2 months.
AJARGON REPLY:
-When I braid my sister's hair we use either yaky perm or wet and wavy. It really depends on what she is trying to accomplish. If she really wants no maintence, we use the wet/wavy so that way all she does is 2 french braids at night, spraying the scalp and hair shaft(till the point where her hair ends) w/ a leave-in then wrapping it up.Really you should re-do the braids every 2 months, even if you have "re-touches" of braids only in the crown and back. And let the middle go for another 2 weeks or so. You don't want any buildup, or your hairline to receed. Plus I think the hair needs a break. Right before I take them out, I usually cut them into a style, this time was a really cute bob. That way I don't get too sick of them. Being a natural, I like to wear out my own hair. I usually do a protein tx(if needed) when I take them out, followed up w/ a deep conditioning tx. I do wash the braids, and condition them as well on a regular basis. I can't stand funky hair

Anything that you would recommend that people do and not do to grow their hair? I.e. if you saw good results or had setbacks could you please let us know what you did and did not do?

AJARGON REPLY:
- Well stay clear of heat, including the blowdryer. No stylist(if they are comfy working w/ natural hair, or 2 textures) NEEDS to straighten the hair to braid it. Wash, condition, and use a leave-in. The kanekalon is not human hair, but your hair is intertwined w/ it. When you use a leave-in, put it in while the hair is damp( you can use stay-so-fro if you so choose. Mom likes that, or any activator gel) work it into the braid well. Check out Anais Karim fotki album. I believe that she has a tutorial on how she grew out her hair w/ braids, and her hair is slammin! She's also really great on answering questions. Be gentle w/ your hair, while it's being braided, and after the braids are done, and upon removal. This can make a huge difference in how you like the braids, and how long you keep them in if they are too tight. I don't do the "nubbs" round the hairline. NO style is worth losing hair, or getting headaches over!

Also, when you say that you positioned the mirrors, how did you position them? One in front one in back? I have a big mirror (it's about waistlength and I will be braiding sitting down) but I will probably need to buy a second mirror. How big should it be?

AJARGON REPLY:
- I have the btrm mirror, and a little hand held one from the dollar store. I turn back facing the bthrm mirror, while holding the other w/ the left hand. Then I make the parts. I haven't done that in a minute. I can usually just feel if it's straight or not. Sometimes I just check it in the mirror if the part doesn't feel right.I sit and watch movies/tv while I braid. It does slow me down at times, but it really does help. I sit several large pillows behind me, b/c my back tends to get sore. I also take 1 aleve before starting. I don't take many breaks, and my hands tend to hurt. This really helps.

Finally, how long did it take you to do the braids that are in the pic in your message (I am assuming that you did those braids yourself).
Thanks in advance.

AJARGON REPLY:
-I was in a rush w/ thoes. I did them over 2 days, since I had to go to work. Total hours? Probably 16 or so. What I do is 1/2 the back, some of the sides, and some of the front. I then put my remaining hair into a loose ponytail on the top of my head, flip my hair upside down, then gather the finished braids into a loose ponytail on the top of my head, to cover my hair in the ponytail. Then I put a seamless ponytail holder round it. I then make a bun, and wrap my hair for the night. When I get up in the morning, it's in a nice bun, and ready to go. I ALWAYS mirror check to be sure that none of my hair is showing through the bun. And yes I did do the braids myself. Check it out

these really needed to be redone, but as usual I was being lazy. Done w/ Kanekalon #4,30,27 mixed together. I like it w/ more red undertones then blonde.

sorry it's so dark, it was a braid out. I did several braids w/ my leave-in, after I washed it. Took out the braids in the am, and this is what it gave me

I did mommy's touch-up. this is what I mean. She likes me to get the "nubbs" so I have to be very gentle w/ it. I don't do them tight at all(IT'S JUST NOT NESSARY) but you can see what I mean when you look at the front.The whole thing really needed to be done. But she didn't have any money for that